Nike/US Lacrosse 2014 HS Preview: Midwest Region Girls

Maggie Nick is the reigning
Midwest Player of the Year and Loyola (Ill.) is preseason No. 1 in
the region. Can they continue to set the tone in the
area? (TD Paulius)

Lacrosse Magazine's Nike/US Lacrosse High School
Preview features the preseason national Top 25 for both boys' and
girls' (released Tuesday) and preseason regional Top 10s and Player
of the Year Watch Lists for boys (Wednesday) and girls (Thursday)
across the country.

Midwest Region Girls' Preseason Top 10

1. Loyola (Ill.) In-state rival New Trier lost its star, Kelsey Murray, to
Stanford, while Loyola returns its best player, Maggie Nick. One of
the best clutch scorers in the nation, the senior had 75 goals, 36
assists, 85 draw controls, 72 ground balls and 33 caused turnovers
last year. She'll need to be just as versatile this year. The
Ramblers lost Katherine Eilers and Grace Foley one offense and
defense, respectively.

2. Mason (Ohio) The Comets' perfect season was spoiled by Sycamore in the
regional final. But a much-heralded junior class now turns into a
much-heralded senior class. Tori Blakeman, Allie Specht and Lindsey
Zeltwanger give Mason the star power needed for a deep postseason
run.

3. Upper Arlington (Ohio) The Golden Bears won each of their last seven games by at
least five goals en route to a state championship. Upper Arlington
has reached the state finals in six straight seasons.

4. New Trier (Ill.) After a 1-2-1 trip to the East, the Trevians lost just
two games the rest of the season. Kelsey Murray will be very hard
to replace, however.

5. Sycamore (Ohio) The Aviators faced as a tough a path as anyone to the
state final and handled it with aplomb, downing both Mason and
Medina. Don't ever count Sycamore out.

6. Medina (Ohio)
The Battling Bees were ousted by Sycamore in the state semifinals
after three straight titles. Still, Medina took down Okemos (Mich.)
and East Grand Rapids, in addition to several in-state rivals.

7. East Grand Rapids (Mich.)
The Pioneers loaded their 2013 schedule with out-of-state contests
against Loyola (Ill.), New Albany (Ohio) and Medina (Ohio) and
still emerged with a 22-2 record.

8. Blake School (Minn.)
Some will say the Bears got lucky when Lakeville North (Minn.)
downed Eden Prairie (Minn.) in last year's semifinals, clearing
their path for a state title. Can Blake finally take down New
Trier?

10. Montini Catholic (Ill.)
The lone remaining star on the attack, Frankie Kamely, and coaches
Michelle Sebastian and Virginia Kosenkova hope to make Montini
Catholic a permanent thorn in the side of Loyola and New Trier.